Dirty Seduction

ROSIE

I always took as many pizza shifts as I could around college, feeling way more secure when a semi-decent amount of cash landed in my account at the end of every month, but when I woke up that morning sorry, afternoon cozy in Julian’s new bedding, I didn’t want to leave.

I was still in my PJs when I reached my savior’s living room, quiet as I crept in far enough to see him snoozing on the sofa. He had one of his new pillows under his head, but he was still in his suit, with no blanket to keep him warm, just his jacket draped over him. Such a contrast to the luxury he’d put me in.

I got tickles in my stomach as I remembered how good it had felt in his arms as I cried. Oh, how I’d love to squeeze up to him on the Chesterfield and feel his arm draped over me, but even more, how I’d love to take his hand and pull him into his bedroom. And then what? Cuddle up to him? Snuggle up tight? Or more…?

The clench of my thighs gave me the answer.

I took a breath, still staring at him.

My emotions were calmer in the light, resigned to Scottie being back with Mum. The fear was still there though, lurking in the shadows, but Julian’s sleeping face had me transfixed.

Things would be ok. He’d told me so. I didn’t know how, when, or why Julian would help me solve the situation, but I knew he would.

Relief was a beautiful thing something I wasn’t usually blessed with.

I didn’t want to disturb my sleeping hero just yet, so I backed away.

I grabbed my clothes for the day, and I helped myself to a towel from the shelf in his wardrobe, caught up in a fresh round of flutters at the sight of the closed drawer underneath them. I could recall the dirty pictures and the filthy toys that lay hidden in there with perfect vision. My curiosity was growing, not waning, and my need for Julian the filthy man upstairs was hyping up on overdrive… hence why once again I didn’t lock the bathroom door behind me, just in case.

I couldn’t hold back a grin when I pulled back the shower curtain, because woah, oh my God. There was no way Julian needed the bottles of coconut shampoo and conditioner that had appeared on the shelf, and he didn’t need the three-minute hair mask. Somehow, I also struggled to imagine him using bubble gum-scented body wash, but there they all were lined up on the rack that had previously been empty.

I stripped off my PJs, and stepped under the flow, examining the bottles one by one as I used them. They were great, and my hair felt fresh and smooth as I washed it clean. He’d picked well for me.

I was still in there when a knock came at the bathroom door. I almost leaped out of my skin as Julian’s voice sounded out, loud enough to hear over the water.

“I bought a spare toothbrush, just in case you needed one. It’s in the drawer under the sink.”

What else could I say, other than a meek little thank you? I couldn’t exactly wrench the door off its hinges and pull him into my arms with frantic kisses of gratitude.

Or could I?

Maybe other girls would do…

I got out of the shower as quickly as I could, glad to use the new toothbrush. I was dressed, looking at least semi-human again when I found Julian in the kitchen. He was watching me as I carried on toweling my hair dry.

“How did you know I like coconut?” I asked, and he looked over at me with a smirk.

“Your hair usually smells of coconut. It was an easy choice.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I love coconut.”

“Excellent. My choices were warranted.”

I kept toweling my hair. “What scents do you like? For yourself?”

“Maybe you’ll find out someday if I buy myself some cologne.”

“Are you going to?”

He flicked the kettle on. There were already two mugs on the counter.

“I don’t feel quite so warranted in providing for myself as I do for other people.” He put teabags in the mugs.

“You don’t smell bad at all,” I told him, but he laughed as he poured the boiling water.

“I’m well aware that I smell of cigarette smoke, Rosie. It isn’t something most people find all that… enticing.”

Enticing. I wondered if he meant his choice of words.

“I don’t mind it,” I said. “I like the way you smell.”

“Let’s see if you maintain that if and when you have the scent of cologne to compare it with. I think you may be surprised by the difference.”

He spooned me two sugars.

I don’t think I’d ever smelt cologne on someone before. I was used to cigarette smoke and mainstream deodorant. No big deal.

I finished toweling my hair as he splashed the milk into our drinks.

“Where shall I put this?” I asked, with the towel in my hands.

He shrugged. “That depends on if you’re planning on using it again. If you are, then feel free to drape it to dry. If not, please put it into the washing machine.”

I hung it straight over the door, without a second’s pause. His words struck me. How could they not? If I was planning on using it again, then he expected me here… and if he expected me here, then I’d be around him… and if I was around him and what he’d meant at the door that night was true, then…

“You look lost in thought,” he said, handing me my tea. He leaned back against the counter, his bright green eyes on mine as he carried on talking. “You needn’t be worried. I meant what I said. You are safe here, and you’re not on your own as you battle your predicament. Not any longer.”

That wasn’t where my mind was at, though. It was on him, and the way his tie fell, and the unkempt salt and pepper of his hair. His perfect-toothed smile, and his natural calmness, even in these circumstances. And then my mind whirred through some more, at lightning speed. Through the things I’d stumbled across in his wardrobe drawer, and the heat between my thighs, all my fantasies spinning in me. I couldn’t fight it, and I didn’t want to. My senses were running insane.